News & Updates

BRA board approves $259 million in new projects at March meeting

Mar 18, 2016

The Boston Redevelopment Authority’s board of directors approved seven new projects at last night’s meeting. In total, the projects represent a combined investment of $258.5 million and will generate over 530 construction jobs, yielding 586 new residential units in the city.

In addition to the new projects, the board also approved the request to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for consultant services regarding updates to the BRA’s strategic visioning. The RFP is slated to open on Monday, March 21.

Below are summaries of the newly approved projects. The full board agenda and archived video stream can be found here.

Collaborative efforts between the BRA and the Department of Neighborhood Development (DND) resulted in tentative designation of Windale Developers for the Garrison Trotter Phase II project

Total Project Cost: $6,066,216
Total SF: 17,750
Construction Jobs: 13

This project is the result of nearly one year of comprehensive neighborhood planning with the Garrison Trotter Neighborhood Association (GTNA) and is representative of the commitment by Mayor Martin Walsh, DND and the BRA to leverage City-owned property to create much needed mixed-income homeownership housing.

The sites will be developed as part of Mayor Walsh’s Neighborhood Homes Initiative (NHI), a product of Housing A Changing City: Boston 2030, the Walsh administration’s comprehensive housing plan. NHI uses City-owned land and funding as a resource to create affordable and mixed-income homeownership opportunities for a range of homebuyers. In turn, this project will feature 18 residential units, 12 of which will be designated as affordable.

Upon completion, the new homes will be priced to attract a mix of moderate, middle and market rate buyers. Prices for the new affordable homes will range from $250,000 - $400,000 and will be affordable to households with a combined income of $60,000 - $100,000. The affordable moderate and middle-income homes will have a 50-year resale restriction to provide affordability for future generations of homebuyers.

New housing approved in South Boston at 232 Old Colony Avenue

Total Project Cost: $10,000,000
Total SF: 36,291
Construction Jobs: 27

This project site is located approximately five blocks northeast of Andrew Square, within walking distance of the MBTA Red Line Andrew Station. The developer, 232 Old Colony Avenue LP, has proposed to construct 24 condominium units and 3 on-site affordable units, commercial/retail restaurant space and 29 parking spaces.

The project will include a mix of 16 two-bedroom units and eight one-bedroom units within a 5-story structure. A 2,855 square foot restaurant space will also be included on the ground floor.

Plans for Jamaica Plain’s Goddard House move forward

Total Project Cost: $62,000,000
Total SF: 163,000
Construction Jobs: 123

Eden Properties, LLC and Samuels & Associates, Inc are proposing the renovation and expansion of the existing Goddard House, as well as the construction of a new residential building. The BRA Board’s approval will allow the 167-unit project to move forward as planned. Of the 167 residential units, 110 will be located in the renovated Goddard House with 57 units in the new building and 22 of the total units on-site will be designated affordable.

In addition to the renovation of Goddard House and the construction of a new building, this project will include 180 spaces allotted toward indoor and outdoor bicycle parking, a combination of covered and surface vehicle parking to the tune of 83 spaces, and open space improvements that will include a landscape buffer in front of the building with new street trees to improve the pedestrian realm.

38-unit development approved for Huntington Avenue in Mission Hill

Total Project Cost: $12,000,000
Total SF: 45,500
Construction Jobs: 33

Walter Huntington, LLC received approval for the development of a new five- and six-story mixed-use building located at 35 South Huntington Avenue. The building will be comprised of 38 residential units with 5 IDP units, 7,080 square feet of ground-floor commercial/ retail restaurant space, and 26 parking spaces located in the building’s underground garage.

Guest Street development in Brighton approved with support during public hearing

Total Project Cost: $135,000,000
Total SF: 311,000
Construction Jobs: 291

The approval of this primarily residential building will yield the construction of 295 rental units, 38 of which will be on-site IDP units. In order to meet a variety of market demands, 125 Guest Street will feature studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. This phase of the project will also include 155 parking spaces and 300 bicycle spaces dedicated to residents.

The ground-floor of the building will provide 16,000 square feet of retail space, while the remaining area of approximately 39,000 square feet will be residential amenity spaces, such as a building lobby, mail room, fitness room, conference room, loading dock, mechanical, vehicle, and bike parking.

The proposal for 125 Guest Street in Brighton was the first during the public hearing portion of the board meeting, and was met with wide support. Five community members spoke passionately about their support for this development, mentioning its ability to create jobs and enliven the neighborhood.

44 multifamily residential rental units approved for Douglass Park in the South End

Total Project Cost: $16,500,000
Total SF: 49,305
Construction Jobs: 37

The Board’s approval of the Amended and Restated Development Plan for the Douglass Park expansion project will result in 44 multifamily residential rental units with 8 IDP units. The project site, located at 150 Camden Street in the South End, is on a portion of Parcel 16.

During the public testimony portion of the hearing, one community-member noted that in its earliest stages, the project was met with skepticism, but as it has moved forward, residents and stakeholders have come to embrace the opportunities that this development will bring to their neighborhood.

Second amendment to the Institutional Master Plan (IMP) for Harvard University’s Life Lab approved

Total Project Cost: $17,000,000
Total SF: 14,750
Construction Jobs: 13

The Board’s approval of the Second Amendment to the IMP for Harvard University’s Allston campus, includes the construction of this Harvard Life Lab. The Life Lab represents a new, but temporary two-story building that will provide both wet lab and co-working space for small Harvard-related scientific start-ups. In addition, the Life Lab will include general and dedicated lab spaces for up to 50 individuals, including a faculty member-in-residence, conference and support spaces to promote wet lab community connections. This project, which is considered a pilot by the university, aims to build on the success of the adjacent Harvard Innovation Lab.

Share This Article:

Previous Next

First Name :		Last Name :
Zip Code :		*Email: